Arc de Triomphe
Standing on the western summit
of the Champs-Elys*es, out on
the horizon at the top of the
Chaillot hill is the largest
triumphal arch in history, the
Arc de Triomphe. Built by J.A.
Raymond and J.F.T. Chalgrin from
1806 to 1830, it is the first
important monumental arch in
Paris since the 1670s. The great
size of the arch was chosen
partly because of the impact
would be much more stronger for
its elevated position. The upper
part of the arch was designed as
an attic and heavily emphasized
to prevent it from appearing to
lean backwards or to fade into
the clouds, and the giant
statuary and huge relief panels
maintained the proportion. Since
the 17th- century, the
Champs-Elys*es the most
grandiose and potentially
symbolic urban perspective in
Europe with a length of over a
mile, rising gently on an
increasing gradient until its
eventual disappearance into the
clouds. Napoleonâs decision to
mark the end of the vista with a
great monument was very much in
character.